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David Hullah was touring the South Island in a campervan when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway.
“She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
She believed that site was Seacliff, about 25 kilometres north of Dunedin and home to an enchanted forest and a former … View moreDavid Hullah was touring the South Island in a campervan when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway.
“She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
She believed that site was Seacliff, about 25 kilometres north of Dunedin and home to an enchanted forest and a former lunatic asylum.
The 500-bed psychiatric hospital was once the largest building commissioned in New Zealand, but is also remembered as the site where 37 women died in a fire on the night of December 8, 1942.
But Hullah's relative was not one of those women.
His mother, Margaret Wells, who is in her mid-90s and lives in Australia, told her son of their relative's death as he drove towards Seacliff in March 2020, just before the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Wells was a young child when her favourite aunt, Peggy McInnes – who was actually her much older cousin – suddenly stopped visiting their Dunedin home.
Years later, she was told McInnes had been murdered.
Hullah said he knew McInnes used to work as a nurse at Seacliff, and was murdered by a spurned former boyfriend who later killed himself in the hospital’s grounds, now home to a reserve.
The story was eerily similar to another that unfolded in the tiny township in 2016, when Stephen Findlay killed neighbour Sharon Comerford before turning his gun on himself in the grounds of the reserve.
Findlay survived and in 2017 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 11 years.
McInnes’ murder actually happened at Orokonui Hospital, a former psychiatric hospital about halfway between Dunedin and Seacliff, on August 24, 1928.
A newspaper report, headlined ‘Driven Insane By Jealousy’, said McInnes, a 25-year-old nurse, had recently been transferred from Seacliff to Orokonui.
But it was at Seacliff where McInnes had first met Thomas Ellis, a 35-year-old Dunedin bricklayer, who was working on a new kitchen building at the site.
The pair courted for several months before the tragedy happened in the grounds of the Orokonui Hospital.
Ellis visited McInnes at her new workplace after hearing their relationship was over. McInnes later left work at 8pm, wearing her uniform under a brown coat.
Later that evening, a staff member heard groans coming from the hospital grounds. They found Ellis wandering about with his throat cut.
Ellis died at the scene, and police were then tasked with finding a missing nurse: McInnes.
Several hours later they made a grim discovery.
McInnes was found lying on a blanket under a large pine tree. Her face had been bashed in, and her throat was cut.
The murder weapons – a pen knife and a stone wrapped in a handkerchief – were found nearby.
Tellingly, police found a note in Ellis’ pocket. The note, sent by McInnes, indicated she would meet him at a prearranged time and date.
A colleague of McInnes later told an inquest the young nurse was deciding between two men, including Ellis, whom she was lukewarm on.
The pair had earlier been spotted arguing at a dance at Seacliff after Ellis – later described in a report by the Otago Daily Times as a “tall, thin, dark man” – saw her dancing with other men.
“The facts of this sad tragedy are only too plain,” the coroner said.
“It is obvious that Nurse Mclnnes was murdered by Ellis who then cut his throat.”
David Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the… View moreDavid Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in 1942, over on The Mish - check it out (and sign up) here.
David Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the… View moreDavid Hullah was touring the South Island when his mother suddenly told him to turn off the highway. “She wanted to see the site where her aunt was murdered.”
Hamish McNeilly investigates two tragedies; the brutal murder of André Jose on Stewart Island in 1927, and the devastating fire at the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum in 1942, over on The Mish - check it out (and sign up) here.
Come and see us at 53 Bond Street for your Summer wardrobe. Lots of donations going out daily.
Ryman’s Peace of Mind Guarantees are designed with your protection in mind, giving you the confidence to live the way you want and to embrace every opportunity.
Take Ross for example. He’s a Ryman resident who began his musical journey at the age of 65. His ‘no worries’ lifestyle has … View moreRyman’s Peace of Mind Guarantees are designed with your protection in mind, giving you the confidence to live the way you want and to embrace every opportunity.
Take Ross for example. He’s a Ryman resident who began his musical journey at the age of 65. His ‘no worries’ lifestyle has meant that ten years later, Ross plays in several bands and tours in different towns playing music on a guitar he made himself. A little certainty provides great reassurance in knowing you can pursue the things you love in retirement, without any worries.
For full details on our Peace of Mind Guarantees visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz
We are self confessed nerds because we love Algebra! Call us if we can inspire your child to love Algebra.
An unshakeable belief in your goal is a powerful tool for success. Positive goal setting. Train your mind to focus on what you truly desire.
I am so proud of what Personal Development has allowed me to achieve. It's only impossible until it's done - Nelson Mandela.
A temporary measure to provide maternity care due to critical staffing shortages at Dunedin's Queen Mary Maternity Ward is now over.
The shortage happened between January 7 and 10, prompting the Southern District Health Board (DHB) to close part of the maternity ward and care for parents and … View moreA temporary measure to provide maternity care due to critical staffing shortages at Dunedin's Queen Mary Maternity Ward is now over.
The shortage happened between January 7 and 10, prompting the Southern District Health Board (DHB) to close part of the maternity ward and care for parents and babies in another part of the hospital, called a Maternity Pod Annex.
That ended on Monday morning, when the maternity ward returned to its usual settings.
It was the first time the Southern DHB had used a Maternity Pod Annex as a temporary solution to a staffing shortage.
Midwifery director Karen Ferracioli said the strategy had been successfully relied upon elsewhere in New Zealand previously.
The DHB was confident it could operate again at short notice, if required, she said.
Staffing challenges were not unique to the Southern DHB, nor to just Dunedin, Ferracioli said.
"Southland Hospital has similarly been experiencing staffing shortages in maternity care, and our team there have been working hard to ensure parents and babies are receiving the care they need."
Southern DHB remained committed to providing excellent care for all families throughout the region who need to use maternity services, she said.
It was also supporting staff working with other national organisations on the challenges facing the sector across the country.
Treating yourself this Summer is healthy after a year like 2021! Have some fun, smile and reconnect with loved ones but before 2022 gets hectic COMPARE.SAVE.REPEAT.
It’s easy as, just sit down over a cuppa or a beer – whatever tickles your fancy! Have a look at your pesky bills and compare … View moreTreating yourself this Summer is healthy after a year like 2021! Have some fun, smile and reconnect with loved ones but before 2022 gets hectic COMPARE.SAVE.REPEAT.
It’s easy as, just sit down over a cuppa or a beer – whatever tickles your fancy! Have a look at your pesky bills and compare what's out there using Broadband Compare and Power Compare. We launched these sites to help Kiwis all over, compare providers and plans so you can save money or find something that just better fits your needs. So easy, you can do it at the beach in between swims!
Variety's Fishing Comp has launched so you can go fishing and reel in a Ford Puma!
Buy a ticket from a participating Ford dealership and register online and be in to win a brand-new Ford Puma.
There are loads more fabulous prizes, including OKUMA fishing gear, Fish City vouchers, a NZ … View moreVariety's Fishing Comp has launched so you can go fishing and reel in a Ford Puma!
Buy a ticket from a participating Ford dealership and register online and be in to win a brand-new Ford Puma.
There are loads more fabulous prizes, including OKUMA fishing gear, Fish City vouchers, a NZ Fishing News subscription and much more.
Proceeds from Variety's Fishing Comp will aim to support 500 families who are struggling to put food on the table this summer.
click here for more info and the live leaderboard
Please come and see us at the weekend we are open Saturday and Sunday and would love to see you at 53 Bond Street.
Hi,
I just bought a table & chairs in Carey's Bay and need them to come to Mornington. Anyone with a van or trailer - $75 to move them? Seller will help one end, I will help other.
Our office is closed until 5 January 2022. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season 🎄🥳
You can use your online service MyMSD 24/7 bit.ly...
Have other questions? You can contact MSD Senior Services on 0800 552 002. Please note this line is closed on public holidays.
🥳 Happy New Year 2022 all you Dream Big New Zealanders !!!
📆 Remember to mark in your calendars a 1 hour slot from 9 am tomorrow, Thursday & Friday to Magnify Your Mojo with our
..........................⭐⭐⭐ 3 Day Mindset Mojo ⭐⭐⭐.............................
… View more🥳 Happy New Year 2022 all you Dream Big New Zealanders !!!
📆 Remember to mark in your calendars a 1 hour slot from 9 am tomorrow, Thursday & Friday to Magnify Your Mojo with our
..........................⭐⭐⭐ 3 Day Mindset Mojo ⭐⭐⭐.............................
.......................Personal Development Facebook Live-stream.......................
🐯 The Chinese Zodiac marks 2022 as The Year of The Tiger; a symbol of strength, exorcising evils & braveness.
💝 Tiger was a dear one’s nickname for me given during a game of football he came to see me play one sunny Sunday. A treasured memory from a dear soul & a great vibe to begin a brand new year on ... Love
The Team at NZ Compare wish you a wonderful New Year!
Thank you for welcoming us into your Neighbourhood, we can't wait to help you compare what's out there in 2022.
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